I'm having one of those times in my life where it feels like everything is going exactly how I want it to. I had a rough week 2 weeks ago when my stress levels were so high that I felt like I was going to burn out and crash any day. I did some things to try and relax, including getting a blood test to make sure that my blood sugar, cholesterol, and all that good stuff was ok. I'm totally fine and finding that out made me focus on the mental part of my stress. I spent a little time each day trying to organize my life a bit more. Cleaned up my classroom, wrote my plans for the next week a little early and had some wonderful parent helpers make the copies that I would need through Valentine's Day and the 100th Day of School (February 8th). At home, Peter helped by doing a great job cleaning up the counters in the kitchen and straightening up in the living room. I scrubbed down the bathroom and we did some laundry. It's amazing how quickly you can get behind on things.
I'm feeling much better this week and have really enjoyed spending some time with my family and friends. I'm trying a little harder to let some things go if they really aren't that big of a deal. I am enjoying the time that I get to spend with Isaac and looking forward to Peter's schedule slowing down a little bit. This time of year is the best time for me. Spring is on the horizon, weddings are being planned, I get to start thinking about Isaac's 2nd (can you believe it?) Birthday in just 3 short months. I'm excited because I think we are going to take him to the Treehouse or Monkey Joe's on his actual birthday and then have a party that weekend for family and friends.
We are hoping to make the party a little smaller this year so that we can have it at our house. People will have to dress warm so that we can go out on the porch as much as possible. I know that it is still a bit chilly at the end of April but hopefully it won't be too bad. I also figure that since it is his second birthday, and not as big a deal as the first, we can just invite local family and friends without hurting anyone's feelings. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
We went to the Treehouse today and climbed around with Isaac. He has so much fun and it gives him some exercise after sitting at home and not being able to go outside much! He's starting to really try and jump up and down. I think we might take him to Monkey Joe's with a friend or two for his birthday. Not really for a party but just to go and jump around. It's a little cheaper to get in there as well. I am hoping to invite Amelia and maybe Anna and Will to come and just jump around and eat pizza and cake or something.
I can't wait until all my friends start having babies! Get movin' people, would ya?!
:)
I just finished reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I got it for Christmas. I had seen it in the stores and had a passing thought of interest. I had enjoyed reading The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons so when I got this one, I thought, "Oh good!"In the beginning of the story, Robert Langdon is summoned by an old friend, (or so he thinks) to Washington D.C. to give a presentation about the symbolism in the capitol. To be honest, I was disappointed that I did not get to read about symbolism in the capitol through Langdon's speech. It might have been more interesting than the start of this book. Perhaps my expectations were high based on the last two novels with Langdon as the main character. I was expecting a bit more action. This story seemed a bit formulaic. Langdon is challenged, lines between good guys and bad guys are drawn and then get fuzzy. Langdon cracks some codes using his knowledge of symbols and of course, there is a police chase. None of it is anywhere near as suspenseful or exciting (or should I say controversal?) as The DaVinci Code. I think the author is losing his love for Langdon, if he had it in the first place. In the first two books, Robert Langdon is made out to be a genius. He figures things out faster than everyone around him and only needs a little bit of help, mostly to get him safely in and out of certain places. In The Lost Symbol, I personally think Langdon is pretty slow. Maybe because he does not have a strong belief in the hunt he is on. He thinks the kidnapper is a madman and delusional and that the treasure of The Lost Word is make believe. The whole time I was reading, I had a feeling that the word was not what it seemed. You'll have to read to find out what it is but it really is simple. Everyone I know would figure this out relatively quickly. However, the overall theme of this book seems to be that the answers are right there in front of us but we are too blind to see. At then end of the book I thought, "well yeah, of course" whereas at the end of Angels & Demons and The DaVinci Code I thought, "Woah! That's so cool!" However, I still had a hard time putting this book down. I'd like to go to the places in this book and see some of the things that are mentioned within the story. I'd like to know more about Noetic Science and really find out how much is fact and how much is fiction. There is a part of me that wants to believe the message in this book and find out more about it. Our history has always interested me. There is another part of me that says, "No way, but wouldn't it be cool?" This probably doesn't make much sense if you haven't read The Lost Symbol. Dan Brown has a great talent for making you believe what you are reading. It is so matter of fact and realistic sounding that even the craziest parts of the plot are believeable. It's fun for awhile to escape reality and believe in a story. I would definitely tell people to read The Lost Symbol. I enjoyed it. I feel like there should be more to say but I can't think of anything. Let me know what you think of the book if you read it!
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